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June 25, 2017

How to Become a Residential Sponsor in Virginia

Virginia and many other states are moving away from
institutionalized settings and transitioning to community –based residential services. Group homes
remain
the primary option for community residential placement. However, options such as sponsored residential services
are also becoming popular alternatives
to group home placement. Sponsored
residential services are very similar to adult foster care in that an individual
or family take a person with a disability into their home and provides care.
I’m often asked by people who want to
become sponsors about the process. So I will provide a general breakdown of the
application and certification process.

1.Apply for a position with a Sponsor Agency-
The sponsor agency is responsible for ensuring that all sponsors and homes meet
the necessary state requirements. The application process is just like any
other job application requiring a copy of your resume and application. The
state reimburses the agency, which then pays the sponsor for providing
services. Requirements may vary slightly from agency to agency but here are the
general requirements that most agencies are looking for in a sponsor:

*Be at least 18 years old (some agencies might require a
higher minimum age). Also an 18 year old is less likely to have adequate
experience unless they have cared for a relative.

* Have at least a high school diploma or GED

*Have some experience working with people who have an intellectual,
developmental, or other kind of disability.

*Have the ability to provide direct care which might require
lifting, grooming, and/or assisting with toileting. This will of course depend
on the individual’s level of disability.

*Have the writing skills to complete daily documentation
such as progress notes and other reports.

*Be able to pass a criminal background check and have no
founded cases of abuse/neglect with child or adult protective services. You might also be subject to a DMV check as
well as a drug test depending on the agency.

*Have the ability to maintain financial stability and cover
their expenses for 90 days. This is often determined through home equity and
credit. The purpose of this is to ensure that the home can withstand a significant
delay in payment since the process can be quite lengthy from application to
certification. In some cases, a couple
will have one person assigned as the primary staff while the other spouse
continues to maintain employment elsewhere and serves as relief staff as
needed. This can offset any delay in
payment and show financial stability.

2. Complete the necessary
trainings- The required trainings usually consist of CPR/First Aid,
Medication Administration, Managing Aggressive Behaviors, Documentation and
DMAS
compliance. This is often the most time-consuming stage of the process because
of scheduling and availability of specific trainings. Completing the necessary
training can take anywhere from 3-6 months.

3. Complete
inspection from licensure- Sponsor homes are subject to the same
regulations and oversight as group homes. Case managers also make regular
visits to the home just as they would a group home to monitor services. State licensing specialists inspect the home to
ensure the home is up to code and have
the individuals human rights prominently displayed as they would in a group
home.

4. Other Requirements-
Additional requirements may be requested by the sponsor agency. Here is a
brief list but they can vary from agency to agency.

5. Get matched with a
client- The final stage is to
finally get matched with a client. This can also be time consuming because the availably
of clients depends a number of factors including gender, level of disability, behavioral
history, and medical needs. All of these factors need to be considered before
placement. This is another reason why the proposed sponsor home must have the
ability to cover expenses for that 90 day period. Even after a client is matched and approved,
the services still need to be authorized at the state level which can take
additional time.

Residential sponsors can earn well over $50,000 per year and can have up to two residents in their home. This income is also exempt from taxes, which can be an extra incentive.